When the Buffalo Bills needed it most, the offense responded with one of the best drives of the season Saturday night.
The Bills ran the finals at 5:56 before scoring the game-winning field goal against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium and rushing for 86 yards in 15 games. This came after a tie touchdown drive in the fourth quarter after the team jabbed four times in the third quarter.
“Unfortunately, we had those four punts in a row, and again, the communication between the coaching staff and the execution on the field was really the standout, especially the last drive,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said on Sunday. “You know, we had some semblance of balance: running and passing, different passes. I thought the offensive line did a good job especially on that drive giving Josh (Allen) time and then if you can run the ball like we could run it I thought the pad level was there, where it had to be. and so was the execution.”
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On the game-winning drive, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey called eight runs and seven passes.
“At this stage of the year, at this point in the year, much like a rookie, you’re not a rookie anymore,” McDermott said of Dorsey, who is playing as a call plays in his freshman year. “You went through some of the things you have to go through. And at that point you have a good sense of who your players are and what weapons they have and what tools they have and what resources are at their disposal. So, you know, these conversations happen less and less this time of year, but we still have conversations.
Knox’s season-high 98 yards on six catches led the Bills Saturday night.
Here are four more observations from McDermott’s press conference on Sunday.
1. Boogie Basham is everyday life. The second-year defensive end of the Bills suffered a calf injury against the Dolphins, McDermott said Sunday. Right-back Ryan Bates (ankle) and defender Jordan Phillips (shoulder), both of whom missed Saturday’s win, continue to improve, the manager said.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Boogie Basham suffers from a daily calf injury and center Mitch Morse is suffering from a concussion after Saturday night’s win against the Miami Dolphins, coach Sean McDermott told reporters Sunday.
2. McDermott weighed in Cam Lewis’ penalty. The Bills defenseman took a kicker penalty in the second half that gave Miami a free first down and then led to the go-ahead touchdown — a potentially massive play that saw the Dolphins win the game. McDermott can generally live with penalties that happen throughout the game, but Lewis’s penalty bordered on the unacceptable.
“I would say our entire team. We don’t want to be known for beating ourselves,” McDermott said. “So we make sure we eliminate the penalties as much as we can. We want to play aggressively, but we also want to play disciplined and with good technique. You want to be aggressive in all three phases but at the same time you want to play smart and I think that was a great example of how important that balance is – aggressive and smart at the same time.”
The Bills coach speaks to reporters after Saturday night’s win over the Dolphins.
Harry Skull Jr.
3. Damar Hamlin had some problems coping. The Bills’ safety missed two tackles, according to analysis website Pro Football Focus, although that number feels generous.
“I think he’s a young player who’s gaining valuable experience and there have been some games where he’s really helped us and made a big game for us and made big tackles and there are other games where he’s technical Being there can be a better position to make tackles or play with the ball and that will be an ongoing process for us as we progress here,” said McDermott.
The Bills have missed a total of 10 tackles against the Dolphins, according to the PFF, but even that number feels low. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bills’ coaches tracked more missed tackles.
“I can tell you what I saw yesterday: we, whether lightbox or figure eight, play with better foundations, play with more physicality, more pad level, that’s really where the game starts – one setting and one pad level,” McDermott said. “We have to do better.
Jay Skurski scored the Buffalo Bills in their 32-29 win over the Miami Dolphins Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.
4. McDermott’s approach to his team’s unusual schedule: hug it The Bills’ last six games of the season were and will be played on the following weekdays: Thursday, Thursday, Sunday, Saturday, Saturday, Monday, Sunday. For creatures of habit, that’s a bizarre schedule.
“It doesn’t change, so embrace it, and I think that’s the best way to approach it,” he said. “You rely on the staff around you to help you create the right schedule that is best for the No. 1 players. It’s important for them to rest, and then for the trainers to rest, because it’s a grind. You know, you’re going with us. There are early mornings and late nights. You’re trying to do your best at this time of year, and that’s also when you’re at your peak of exhaustion. It’s a mystery, isn’t it? You try to figure everything out and find a few spots for some balance and mental refreshment if you can, and then be as physically fresh as possible.
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